# Pickax vs circles*

The clearest difference is rating: circles* at 5.0 against Pickax's 4.6. circles* also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 85%). Pickax's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs every 3 weeks) and ratings volume (23 vs 1). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

circles* holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Pickax has 23 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 85% of Pickax's written reviews are positive against 100% of circles*'s.

Pickax ships an update every 4 days, circles* every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Pickax | circles* |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (23 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pickax/id6748915865/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/circles/id6762500004/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **23** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 84.6% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 days** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 12 MB | 5 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Pickax](https://appshunter.io/developer/1822332996) | [CHRISTOPHER ANTHONY PROVOST](https://appshunter.io/developer/1887701443) |

## What reviewers say

### Pickax

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pickax/id6748915865)

This social platform prioritizes human connection with a chronological feed driven by real engagement, not algorithms. Follow creators, share content, and connect with authentic voices. It supports intentional interaction over automated control.

**Highlights:** Chronological-first feed, Follow people, creators, brands, Share posts and articles, Watch and share Rumble videos, Verified accounts for authenticity, Optional paid content for creators

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### circles*

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/circles/id6762500004)

A private messaging application designed for intimate communication with close contacts. Share direct and group messages, voice notes, and ephemeral photos or videos. Your identity and profile are synced from an existing account, ensuring a seamless and secure experience.

**Highlights:** Direct and group messaging, Voice messages, Ephemeral photo/video sharing (Moments), Viewership tracking for Moments, Profile sync from existing account

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Pickax free?

Pickax is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is circles* free?

circles* is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Pickax or circles*?

circles* is rated higher. Pickax averages 4.6 out of 5 from 23 ratings, while circles* averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Pickax or circles* have ads?

Neither Pickax nor circles* shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Pickax or circles*?

Pickax ships an update every 4 days, and circles* every 3 weeks. Most recently, Pickax was updated on October 12, 2026 and circles* on October 1, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*